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Funds available for Bi-State sage-grouse conservation

Keith Trout
11:24 a.m. PDT June 27, 2014

The U.S. Department of Agriculture last Friday announced what it termed a "ground-breaking" commitment to accelerate and focus conservation efforts benefitting ranchers and the distinct population of greater sage-grouse that lives along the border of Nevada — including southern Lyon County — and California.

The bi-state population of sage-grouse is being considered for protection under the Endangered Species Act.

"I applaud the effort and I am optimistic that this funding will secure the Bi-State from being listed," Lyon County Manager Jeff Page said.

"This is certainly encouraging news for southern Lyon County," said Lyon County Commissioner Virgil Arellano, whose District 5 covers Mason and Smith valleys. However, he wondered how much of that funding disbursement would be used for Lyon County and Nevada.

"With proactive conservation investments, we're helping farmers and ranchers who are improving habitat through voluntary efforts to stabilize this population of sage-grouse," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "Through action such as this, along with the support of our partners, we can help secure this species' future and maintain our vibrant western economies."

Under this commitment, USDA would provide up to $25.5 million of conservation investments over the next five to 10 years as part of its contribution to delivering the federal, state and local 2012 Bi-State Action Plan, a conservation strategy that will benefit the sage-grouse population in both states. The plan, sanctioned by the Department of the Interior's U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, aims to focus resources on cost-effective and efficient solutions that could avert the need to list the bi-state population as "threatened" or "endangered" under the Endangered Species Act.

Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval expressed his support Friday for that USDA decision to provide that funding for conservation easements as part of the plan.

"I am pleased with these agreements and the strengthening of our ongoing partnerships with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Interior," he said. "This announcement, coupled with promising population data, underscores our firm belief that the bi-state sage grouse is not warranted for protection under the Endangered Species Act."

Arellano said that his concern is with the timeline for the funding to come through.

"There are effective conservation plans in place and others being developed as well," he said. "My concern is that the bird would get listed before the funding comes through."

Page also had some concerns. "It may be too little too late, but time will tell" he said. "There has been a lot of conservation work done around the state already and I am hopeful that this funding will stir up some common sense for the folks at USFW."

The Bureau of Land Management on Friday also announced a $6.5 million commitment over the next 10 years to implement a wide range of priority conservation activities on the public lands it manages to improve sage-grouse habitat. The BLM is coordinating with the U.S. Forest Service to amend resource management plans that will include standards and guidelines designed to conserve and enhance sage grouse habitat.

The USDA said this joint announcement "marks the single largest sage-grouse restoration commitment in history and serves as an example of proactive conservation at its best."